Why You Must Let Go of the Scarcity Mindset

The world is an abundant place. This means there’s enough for you and for me: there are enough resources; there are enough opportunities; there are enough connections; there’s enough space for you and for me.

Both of us can succeed. Both our lights can shine and light up the world.

When you see the world as a scarce place—when you embrace a scarcity mindset—your cripple yourself. You begin to see the world as a place where “dogs” fight for a piece of steak, and where every “bite” someone else takes is at your expense. With this view, others become potential enemies who are snatching resources, opportunities, connections, etc., away from you.

In an effort to protect your “stuff”, you hoard and become stingy. You say to yourself, “Since I barely have enough for me, I don’t have enough to share with anyone else. As a matter of fact, I need to get more and more; there’s never enough.”

Scarcity lives in the mind, not in the size of one’s bank account. Quite frankly, you can be loaded and still have a scarcity mindset and always feel that you don’t have enough—regardless of how much you make. Conversely, your resources can be limited while you are, at the same time, completely free from the scarcity mindset.

Seeing the world as an abundance place is liberating; it frees you from the shackles of the scarcity mindset. You don’t have to resent others for their success as if it was at your expense. You don’t have to remain in the confinement of your routine. You can explore the world and discover all the rich experiences it has to offer.

Mathematically, the resources of the planet are finite. However, the world holds so much that everyone can have theirs—provided that we manage what we have effectively. In the Western cultures, we have a lot, and because of this, we have a tendency to waste a lot. What we waste can be used by someone who doesn’t have as much.

When you have an abundance mindset, you open your hands and heart to others and give generously. Also, you don’t worry about anyone stealing your place in the world. You understand that someone else’s success and achievements aren’t to your detriment; they take nothing away from what you have to offer. Instead of envying others, you take responsibility for your results and contribute to the world.